The Labor enquirer., 1887-04-30
"ROsE HAGERTY.,

j.. edge Of ordinary family sewing, and no
means of obtaining such work, had any
training fitted her for it; domestic service
was equally impossible for the same rea-
son, and the added one that the children
must not be left, and she struggled on,
; growing little more haggard and worn
with every week, but the pretty eyes still
holding CLEAN Of the old merriment
Even that went at last. 1t was hard
winter. The stesdiest work could not
give them food enough or warmth enough
The children cried with hunger and shiv-
cred with cold. There was no refuge save
in Norah's bed, under the ragged quilts;
and they covered there till late in the day,
watching Rose as she sat silent at the sew
ing-macliinc. There was small help for
/ 'hoin in the house. The workers were all
!, Ike case, and for the most part drowned
tbs;r 'roubles in stale beer from the
bucket-sho,'u below
Put the children in an asylum, and
then You can h ,arry MiNe Rooney and be
comfortable emo. 'gh," they said to her. but
Rose shook her he, 'd.
"I've mothered 'eI u so FAR, and ~ see
'em through" she said, 'but Inc sa'n''
only knows how. II can't do it oy non
est work, there's one way left that's ~a'''
an I'll try that"
"There came a Saturday night when she
took her bundle of work, shirts again, and
now SO cents dozen. There were five
dozen, and when the Sl.50 was set aside for
rent 1t was easy to see what remained for
food, coal and light. Clothing had ceased
to be part of tho question. The children
were barefoot. They had a bit of meat
on Sundays, but for the rest, bread, pots-
toes and tea were the diet, with cabbage
and bit Of pork now and then for luxu-
ries. Norah had been failing, and to-
night Rose planned to buy her something
with taste to it," and looked ut the sau-
sages hanging in long links with sudden
reckless determination to get enough for
all. She WAS faint with hunger, and stag
gered as sne passed basement restaurant,
from which came savory smells, snuffed
longingly by some half-starved children.
Her turn was long in coming, and as she
laid her undle on the counter she saw
suddenly that her needle had Jumped"
and ths.t half an inch or so of band re-
quired resewing. As she looked the fore
mans knife slipped under the place, and
in .. moment half the band ha1l been
ripped. |
That's no good" he said. you're get
ting botchier all the time" |
"Give II to me-" Rose pleaded. an do
IL over" |
Take it If yop like" he said indiier-
emily, "but th.re's no pay for that kind of
work" |
He had Q, ,unted her money as he spoke
and Rose CT led out as she saw the sum;
"Do you mean you'll cheat me out OF
The whole d Oxen because half an incn on
'ne has goi lie wrongf"
Call it, ,hat you like" he said. *.
20. aint &c ing to send out anything but
,rst-c work. Stand ont OF the way
md le, tn. next have chance Ineres
your $3.40 y i
poss weu tout silently, choking down rash
,.o,a. thu, would have lost her work alto
o.,hsr bu, as she left the dark stairs ana
s.,, again he cutting wind from the river
.,, .,noa till, something more than de-
pair on he r race ine ,s., witb
n' .r. -, ser could not be colder than
ne.' IA, ,t.'d that gave her no chance
'ns 10 place for anything but
and 'na' "aa .rned toward it as the
rascals. She IT, Ono h.a har arm.
thought came, but , ..r,v and tried TO
md sAe cried out sud0- ''
wrench away. "A. "You're
~Easy now," voice sal, an, here I
n. kin your heart for trouble me an
" the nick O time. Come witt Ds .ss,,.
n sav. s"s NO more of it, for my potke.s
'n NIGHT, an that's more'n it'll be - =
TO- n;n, Il YOU don't take me in tow
,mo' . .ailor from merchantmen
1t "" ,a Rose looked at him for a u mo, ;,
81 ia'.. en- she took his arm and walked
ant. IT poo.evelt street.
u him'k - dishonor, but it was GER
Itmighti s-.rmtb for the children,
MY fooda Il matters She had fought
! what did rsn.y Yeas, and i hT'i been
Ssa'fp y She TOOK bis money vhen
.in sisuesis. md vent nome with ih'
fiAg ,apie, :, fac. to-day.
: tnht - "a - out OF hand" the sailo'
~ larry yga .seanswe-od: no man
3 - icr. but Rs -. after this night
al s'ei iaI y - ,rd. s..s las ner rHApf
sas seri ner we cae, in which vage
d tit Il pfosPefoa- rem are warm sn'
sef a. Tho ennd hunger any more
re no ueei 70 cry TO &c live Rose say
|.H aNar h